'American Idol' reveals Top 3 contestants heading to the 2025 finale
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'American Idol' judges discuss working with Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood reflects on how "Idol" is different 20 years later while Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan discuss the judges' decision-making.
We are officially just a few sleeps away from finding out who will be the next "American Idol."
As the competition shed two more contestants to reveal the Top 3 on May 12, Season 23 has never had fewer contestants than this moment. That meant there was more time for the generous studio audience to cheer and applaud the final five contestants for so long the judges – Slater Nalley, Breanna Nix, John Foster, Jamal Roberts and Thunderstorm Artis – as they vied for a spot in the "Idol" finale on May 18.
On the second Disney Night in Episode 17, the singers largely stayed in their lanes and avoided delivering any surprises with the two songs they each performed, honed by Lin-Manuel Miranda's mentorship.
Thunderstorm crooned as he played the guitar while Slater ditched his instrument for the first time to try his hand at emulating Randy Newman. Breanna had a faraway look in her eyes as she stressed about getting through the lyrics in Natalie's "This Will Be," then redeemed herself with a romantic track from "Tarzan" that left her husband in tears.
John brought his modern cowboy to the stage once again, and Jamal put a delightful R&B spin on a beloved "Beauty and the Beast" song. Also, Iam Tongi returned to the "Idol" stage for an extra cross-promotional performance for the upcoming live action "Lilo & Stitch."
Here are the results of Episode 17.
What happened last episode? Two singers leave after emotional Mother's Day tributes
Who was sent home on 'American Idol?'
The guitar-wielding duo of Slater and Thunderstorm failed to earn enough votes to make it into the Top 3.
But this won't be the last you'll see of them – or the Top 14. They will be coming back for one last performance in the finale.
Carrie Underwood dishes on her first date at 16: 'It did not go well'
In an exclusive "Idol To Icon" clip, Underwood admits she never heard back from her first date. "American Idol" airs Sundays/Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
ABC
The group will also be joined by performances from the Goo Goo Dolls, Good Charlotte, Jessica Simpson, Jelly Roll, Patti LaBelle, Salt-N-Pepa, Jennifer Holliday, Josh Groban, Brandon Lake, Myles Smith and Kirk Franklin.
And in a time-honored tradition, judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie will also jump on stage for some time on the mic.
Who is in the 'American Idol' Top 3?
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